Anyone listen to Ainge, Doc, or Steph?

[billfromBoston]

On today were all three principle persons of interest in this whole crazy circus that's sprung up around Marbury's addition.

Here's a link to Ainge:

http://audio.weei.com/basketball/weei_c ... verage.htm

The press conference brought even more clarity to the whole situation. Both Doc and Danny expect Marbury to do what he does best - look to score and make plays - I think that is newsworthy considering many, many Celtics Fan skeptics are calling for Marbury to "tone it down" and to NOT try and do his thing.

It was very refreshing to hear that both key decision makers are looking to not change Steph, but to harness what he does best and subtly fit it into what the team does as a whole - Doc talked about all the lineup combos possible and Danny talked about Steph's ability to be a scorer and be aggressive.

So, after hearing these men speak, it is even more apparent to me how simple his transition should be relative to all the negative hype surrounding the acquisition.

Marbury is being brought in to be himself on the court - he will have the support needed to learn his teammates and when to do what, but they aren't looking for him to tone it down - they WANT a weapon who is looking to attack and impose his will on opponents...

All they are asking him to do is identify the situation and make proper reads - but he COUNTS amongst the options when it comes to scoring the ball...I don't think it'll be super hard for him to do that.

Defensively, I believe he'll apply himself with effort and enthusiam - he is capable when motivated, which he is...

...I expect the sweet symetry of Steph and KG being re-united to be a beautiful thing...by the time the playoffs come around, this team is going to be the favorites once more...

[Celtics_85]

I think this will work fine, and Marbury will do what the big three did to adjust their games. Once Marbury sees what the big three did when they realized that they have teamates that can be counted on and how much fun they are finally having, not to mention he wants a title.
I just hope we can re-sign him to a two year contract extention. Do we have Bird Rights on him and Moore after the season where we don't need to use the MLE to re-sign them if we wanted to?

[Avalanche]

We wont have bird rights on either, which is a bummer.. i dont really expect either of them to be back if it cuts into the MLE much

[campybatman]

It was very refreshing to hear that both key decision makers are looking to not change Steph, but to harness what he does best and subtly fit it into what the team does as a whole - Doc talked about all the lineup combos possible and Danny talked about Steph's ability to be a scorer and be aggressive.

I wonder if they realize that Marbury lacks the personality to assimilate his game to the team like Garnett and Ray were able to do. In order to do so you've to be open to change and sacrifice. It sounds like they've decided to take the opposite approach and didn't ask him to change or adjust. I was thinking Rivers would ask him to be more of a facilitator for the second unit and look to make them better by making scoring opportunities easier. But, I reckon the second unit is void of a consistent scorer that they've no choice but to ask Marbury be a scorer more.

[CelticFaninLBC]

It was very refreshing to hear that both key decision makers are looking to not change Steph, but to harness what he does best and subtly fit it into what the team does as a whole - Doc talked about all the lineup combos possible and Danny talked about Steph's ability to be a scorer and be aggressive.

I wonder if they realize that Marbury lacks the personality to assimilate his game to the team like Garnett and Ray were able to do. In order to do so you've to be open to change and sacrifice. It sounds like they've decided to take the opposite approach and didn't ask him to change or adjust. I was thinking Rivers would ask him to be more of a facilitator for the second unit and look to make them better by making scoring opportunities easier. But, I reckon the second unit is void of a consistent scorer that they've no choice but to ask Marbury be a scorer more.

With the exception of House, they're void of a consistent scorer. Sounds like they want Marbury to carry the scoring load for the second unit...

[AlCelticFan]

He'll be great 6th man. We need his scoring off the bench. Perfect marriage.

[Fencer reregistered]

I'm not sure how much assimilating Marbury has to do beyond "We're bringing you in to play reserve minutes. You know that, right? And it's an absolute requirement on this team to play hard on defense non-stop all the time. In limited minutes, you're able to do that, right?"

[Jammer]

Danny and Doc have simply laid the ground work for Steph to finish games
against Cleveland, Atlanta, Orlando and whoever's in the West in the Playoffs.

Steph will be on the floor at the end of a lot of games,
and cleared for the last shot.

[sam_I_am]

I don't say this that often.... but I agree with everything BFB said!

Marbury is perfect for this team because it desperately needs a guy off the bench who can handle pressure defense, who can create shots even when out there with only 1 of big 3, and who can score 10-15 pts. when asked to do it. In that sense he is a major upgrade over Tony Allen, Cassell and Posey as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the team win its last 15 games and really cruise through the first 2 rounds.

To actually get a marquis, all star talent for nothing whose faults - looking to score at the PG position - are exactly what you are looking for - almost too much to believe.

[billfromBoston]

It was very refreshing to hear that both key decision makers are looking to not change Steph, but to harness what he does best and subtly fit it into what the team does as a whole - Doc talked about all the lineup combos possible and Danny talked about Steph's ability to be a scorer and be aggressive.

I wonder if they realize that Marbury lacks the personality to assimilate his game to the team like Garnett and Ray were able to do. In order to do so you've to be open to change and sacrifice. It sounds like they've decided to take the opposite approach and didn't ask him to change or adjust. I was thinking Rivers would ask him to be more of a facilitator for the second unit and look to make them better by making scoring opportunities easier. But, I reckon the second unit is void of a consistent scorer that they've no choice but to ask Marbury be a scorer more.

The guy has an 8 asst/game career average - he can find people, but he's a very good scorer - something the bench is in dire need of.

Wasn't stoked on Paul and Ray's minutes last night, but with a skeleton crew running and Rondo not having it offensively I guess Doc determined the win was a necissary thing...regardless, Marbury looked like himself AND it helped the team win...good start...

[billfromBoston]

I don't say this that often.... but I agree with everything BFB said!

Marbury is perfect for this team because it desperately needs a guy off the bench who can handle pressure defense, who can create shots even when out there with only 1 of big 3, and who can score 10-15 pts. when asked to do it. In that sense he is a major upgrade over Tony Allen, Cassell and Posey as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the team win its last 15 games and really cruise through the first 2 rounds.

To actually get a marquis, all star talent for nothing whose faults - looking to score at the PG position - are exactly what you are looking for - almost too much to believe.

I guess up is down today, huh?

Seriously though, if Marbury gets all the sets down before season's end, how many of you think that we'll see a lot of:

Rondo/Marbury/Ray/Pierce/KG

Finishing out games?

No disrespect to Perk, but to be able to have shooting threats all over the court, multiple slashers, and playmakers to close out the game would be very, very difficult to deal with in close games - there is no player who doesn't command supreme defensive attention.

If Steph can strike the proper balance between taking shots and finding teammates, he could give Boston the most lethal end-of-game lineup in the league.

I think the key here is the word "fun." Lost in all the Marbury controversy is the fact that he's been a player-under-fire for the better part of the past 6 years. There hasn't been anything but criticism and negativity surrounding the teams and the situations he's found himself in.

While there is no doubt that he's exacerbated the situations with some of his reactions, I believe he's the type of personality that is only going to get worse when chaos surrounds him...for the first time in a long time he is not only in a positive and stable environment, but he's not being asked to have all the answers and be THE primary solution to all the problems.

If any situation was going to work for Marbury, this would be it --- he's never been a "bad" guy, just an emotional and somewhat immature person who has been asked to lead above and beyond his capabilities as an individual...

[MalReyn]

I don't say this that often.... but I agree with everything BFB said!

Marbury is perfect for this team because it desperately needs a guy off the bench who can handle pressure defense, who can create shots even when out there with only 1 of big 3, and who can score 10-15 pts. when asked to do it. In that sense he is a major upgrade over Tony Allen, Cassell and Posey as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the team win its last 15 games and really cruise through the first 2 rounds.

To actually get a marquis, all star talent for nothing whose faults - looking to score at the PG position - are exactly what you are looking for - almost too much to believe.

I would be stunned to see that. After all, we did struggle against the Pacers at home. Garnett is still hurt, Pierce dislocated his thumb, and Ray is still playing way too many minutes.

Marbury helps, don't get me wrong, but until KG gets back on the floor we can lose any given night. Our defense and rebounding just isn't the same.

[humblebum]

Great post billfromboston.

I think it was plain to see what type of impact Marbury will have on the second unit. For one he brings supreme confidence. Two, he's a Great ball handler. Three, the guy is a natural passing the ball. He was getting Ray the ball right in rhythm and right on the money. He made a very difficult bounce pass to Ray for a three in the corner at one point, he create a wide open jumper for Davis on a kickout, and he made lots of simple passes to keep the offense from becoming stagnant... and he didn't even know the plays. Four, clearly the guy is a scorer and he brings offensive elements to the game that are sorely lacking. His scoring against second units is something this team has NOT had in the last two seasons. Five, Marbury looked like a very, very solid defensive player last night. He seems HIGHLY capable of fitting in and actually being an impact player on the defensive end.

IMO, Marbury is a clear difference maker. Second unit guys simply are not going to be able to guard him. He's the most talented bench player on all of the contending teams (I don't believe SA is a contender, hence no Ginobli and Odom is currently starting but if he goes to the bench he'd definitely be in the discussion as well). If the Celtics can get healthy I can't imagine a scenario where they're not the favorite. The Celtics have solved a big problem of theirs... scoring droughts and lack of offensive continuity. Rondo and Marbury will be able to shephard the team for a full 48 minutes, providing the scoring, tempo, and playmaking the team needs, at a very high level, all game long.

[celtxman]

I wonder if they realize that Marbury lacks the personality to assimilate his game to the team like Garnett and Ray were able to do. In order to do so you've to be open to change and sacrifice. It sounds like they've decided to take the opposite approach and didn't ask him to change or adjust. I was thinking Rivers would ask him to be more of a facilitator for the second unit and look to make them better by making scoring opportunities easier. But, I reckon the second unit is void of a consistent scorer that they've no choice but to ask Marbury be a scorer more.[/quote][quote][/quote]
Do you realize how funny this sounds? Wasn't Danny Ainge the person who orchestrated the Big Three to come together when skeptics said the players wouldn't sacrifice their games? Wasn't Danny Ainge the player who shared the backcourt on the 80's championship teams with Dennis Johnson who was called a "cancer" by his former team? Isn't Danny Ainge the person who confers with Dr. Jon Niednagel, the Brain Doctor, who has just a little more knowledge than us posters who are working on our likes, dislikes and gut reactions? Here's Doc River's thoughts on their use of Niednagel
"He's extremely useful," said Rivers. "Is what he says foolproof? I don't believe that. I don't think anything is foolproof. His importance is telling you the type of personalities people are, then telling you the things you can look for in those personalities. It gives you a start on how certain players are. We should take advantage of it, and we do."
I think I spotted the word "personalities" a couple of times in his quote. Marbury will be an asset to the Celtics. The fact that through research and Ainge's success in this very area, makes it even better. My personal gut reaction is that we've always been talking apples and oranges here. Marbury was not consistently paid amongst the most money at his position by 5 NBA teams because he was terrible. There is also a difference between a $21 million player expected to fulfill a role that he couldn't as opposed to a $500,000 role that he is more than capable of handling. Great signing - Marbury will assimilate just fine.

[UGA Hayes]

It is definitely nice to have additional ballhandling. Its not that our bench was that bad at scoring, its just whenever Rondo is out of the game, pretty much every other combination of players we had including the big three became a high turnover group.

All that being said I'm not in love with have Marbury not because he won't help the team, but because some people don't deserve anymore chances.

[Kids Are Alright]

Based on 12 min playing time, Stephon>>>Sam Cassell. He's stronger, looks like he can play pretty good D and is (can be) a better distributor.